Twittersphere spills over challenge

The twittersphere was abuzz on the result of Labor's leadership ballot.

Sydney Morning Herald chief political reporter Phillip Coorey was the first to tweet an unofficial result.

"@PhillipCoorey Gillard wins 73 29," he wrote on Twitter about 10.48am (AEDT).

That led to a flood of tweets from journalists, news websites and political junkies using popular hashtags like #kevenge and #respill - some minutes before the official vote came in at 71 for Prime Minister Julia Gillard and 31 for Kevin Rudd.

Jack Attack wrote: "Kevin, the party has spoken. It's time to leave the front bench immediately and head to Redemption Island. #auspol #respill"

KHusky, a Rudd supporter, expressed his disappointment.

"Sad, sad day for Australia as Julia Gillard voted to continue on as PM. People don't have a choice in anything these days. #respill"